Ex-PM Gillani cleared to contest elections

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday cleared former premier Yousaf Raza Gillani to contest the upcoming polls after objections were raised on his nomination papers.

Nisar Ahmed, a contending candidate, had objected to nomination papers of the former prime minister.

The petitioner had maintained that Gillani’s wife, mother and mother-in-law were absolved of their liabilities with help from the former premier.

“Gillani’s family members are currently serving as directors of two companies whose loans have been written off,” the petitioner told the CJP, adding that Fauzia Gillani held 12 percent shares in the company she had been given the charge of.

Justice Nisar also inquired whether ECP rules prohibited candidates from contesting based on the stake they have in any company, to which the counsel for the petitioner recalled that the top court had declared it illegal for anyone to get loans written off.

“Where has the court objected to writing off the loans sanctioned by SBP?” asked Justice Ijazul Hasan. After hearing the arguments, the apex court dismissed the petition and allowed the former premier to contest the upcoming elections.